Journal lubricator



June 3, 1952 w. J. 'FITZSIMMONS JOURNAL LUBRICATOR Filed June 6, 1950 Patented June 3, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,599,246; I L JOURNAL L BmcA'roR William J. Fitzsimmons, Chicago, Ill. Application June 6, 1950, Serial No. 166,351

This invention relates to a journal lubricator adapted particularly for use in railway operation for lubricating the journals on the axles of rail- Way passenger cars, freight cars and the'like.

More particularly, the invention relates to the type of journal lubricators in which lubricator rolls, immersed in lubricant within the journal box, are resiliently held against the journal to revolve with the journal for distribution of the lubricant on the journal when the axle revolves.

Journal lubricators of the same general type as that of the present invention have been known in the art for many years. However, the devices of the type shown in the prior art were never generally adapted in the railway field until applicant invented the commercially practical device shown in his Letters Patent No. 2,402,953. The reason the devices of the previous prior art were never commercially feasible was that dismantling of the journal box was required to install or remove such devices. The cost involved in making such installation was, therefore, prohibitive so that the industry adapted cotton waste dipped in lubricant.

The use of cotton waste for such a lubrication purpose was not entirely satisfactory, but this was the general practice until applicant developed his invention cited above. The contributing factor as to making applicant's original device commercially feasible was that the device could be applied to existing railway car journals without necessitating dismantling of the journal box.

The present invention is an improvement over the device shown in applicants Letters Patent No. 2,402,953. The journal lubricators of that inven- 7 Claims. (Cl. 308%91) tion and the devices of the prior art were arranged to deliver lubricant for substantially the entire length of the journal by providing long rollers, a series of rollers, or a single roller adapted to slide back and forth axially along substantially the entire length of the journal. Applicant has found that complete coverage of the journal is unnecessary and hence, has developed a comparatively short roller adapted for suspension by a cantilever support in a simple, novel and inexpensive manner.

It is, therefore, an important object of the present invention to provide improved journal lubricator rollers which are short axially relative to the journal to be lubricated, but which will 'efficiently lubricate the entire journal surface.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved cantilever suspension means for attaching journal lubricating rollers to the journal bearings.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved journal lubricating assembly which can be readily installed in service position and as readily removed.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a spring suspension means for a short cantilever suspended lubricating roller which will permit some axial travel of the roller relative to the journal while at the same time maintaining stableand intimate contact between the roller and'the journal.

, Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a side elevational view with parts in section of a journal box containing a journal and an upper bearing with a lubricating assembly of the'present invention installed therein;

Figure 2 is an end elevational sectional view taken along the line II-II of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line III-III of Figure 2 and showing the construction details of a lubricating roller embodying the present "invention.

As shown on the drawings:

In Figure 1 a journal box I0 having supporting members I I and I2 for attachment of the box to a railway car is shown with an axle I3 having a journal I 4 extending therein through an aperture I5. A seal I6 0f flexible material is provided to close the gap left between the axle and the edge of the aperture I5. The seal I6 fits tightly about the periphery of a short section I! of the axle I3 of slightly smaller diameter than the main portion of the axle. Thus, the journal box is sealed to prevent loss of lubricant and to prevent foreign matter such as water, dirt, etc., from entering therein. The journal I 4, provided at the adjacent end of the axle I3, is of smaller diameter than the axle and has an annular flange I6 formed at its outer end which is also the end of the axle I3.

A bearing assembly I9 having an inner arcuate bearing liner 20 is rigidly attached to the upper, inner surface of the journal box I0. The bearing assembly I9 and bearing liner 20 extend substantially the entire length of the journal I l, and a portion of the weight of a railway car rests on the bearing assembly I9 through action of support members II and I2 and journal box III. The force exerted against the bearing member I9 is transmitted through the journal I4, into the axle I3 and then to railway wheels attached thereto (not shown) which rest on the track.

At the end of journal box Ill opposite to aperture I5 is provided an access opening 2I which has an access cover assembly 22 having locking means 23 for retaining the cover assembly in closing position. The access opening 2| can be opened by raising the cover assembly 22 for the purpose of inspecting, replacing or repairing the parts contained within the journal box Ill.

A journal lubricating device according to the present invention, generally designated as 24, is

shown contacting the lower portion of the journal [4 and held in suspended position thereagainst. The lubricating assembly 24 comprises generally a pair of rollers 25 rotatably attached to a hanger or carrier member 26 which is suspended from the bearing I9 by a pair of tension springs 21 extending upwardly on either side of journal I4 from the ends of the carrier 26. The lower portions of rollers 25 and carrier 26 are immersed in a pool of lubricating fluid 28 which is provided at the bottom of the journal box Ill.

Referring to Figure 3, each of the lubricatin rollers 25 has an outer annular journal contact portion 29 having annular peripheral grooves, 39

therearound located toward one end thereof. The annular portion 29 may be of any suitable metal or nonmetallic material having requisite strength, wearing and lubricant .deterioration resisting qualities. An annular flange 3| is provided at one end of the annular portion and an anti-friction bearing 32 is inserted in the nonflanged end of the annular portion 29 and pressed therein until the outer race of anti-friction bearing 32 bears against the flange 3!. A snap ring 33 is inserted in an inner annular semi-circular groove 34 formed along the inner surface of the annular portion 29 in such a position as to be immediately adjacent the outer peripheral corner of bearing 32 opposite to the corner contacting flange 3|. Therefore, the snap ring 33 serves to retain the bearing 32 against the flange 3 Iwithin the annular portion 29.

A circular tubular axle 35 having a flared end 36 is inserted to fit tightly within a cylindrical hole through the inner race of the bearing 32 with the flared end 36 bearing against the inner peripheral corner of the inner race at the side of bearing 32 opposite to the side resting against the flange 35. A short sleeve 31 is slidably inserted over the other end-of the axle 35 and. bears against the inner race of bearing 32 on the side opposite to the flaredend 35.

The carriage 26, preferably formed of sheet metal, comprises an elongated strap forming a central portion 33 having shorter parallel arms 39 formed at either end thereof. A pair of round openings 45 are formed through the central portion 38 at corresponding positions, each toward one of the arms 39. The openings 48 are of such a size as to slidably receive the ends of cylindrical axles 35 of the lubricating rollers25, and the ends of axles 35 are flared outwardly forming flared ends 52. The flaring operation in each of the lubricating rollers serves to jam the portion of carriage 26 adjacent opening 40 against one end of the sleeve 31, forcing said-sleeve 3! against the inner race of bearing 32 which in turn bears against the other flared end 36 of axle 35, thereby providing a tight integral con nection between the carriage 26 and the inner race of bearing 32. The sleeve 31 is of sufiicient length to allow a slight clearancebetweenthe carriage 26 and the flanged end of annular portion 29 to permit rotation of the lubricating roller 25 without interference with the carriage 26.

It should be noted that when the lubricating rollers 25 are assembled with carriage 26, the carriage serves to hold the rollers 25 from one end thereof only, in cantilever position. It should should also be noted that the openings 45 are so spaced as to provide a generous clearance between the rollers 25-and between each of the rollers and the adjacent arms 39.-

The arms 39 extend axially inwardly relative to the'rollers 25 from the attached ends thereof. Springs 21 are attached to each arm 39 through holes 4| formed adjacent the end of said arms. The length of arms 39 is such that the holes 4| are located axially between the ends of rollers 25 and at corresponding positions. The springs 21 have substantially circular hooked ends 42 attached to the arms 39 through the holes 4| and opposite straight-sided hooked ends 43.

The hooked ends 43 of the springs 2'! have elongated terminal portions 44 extending downwardly which are inserted through apertures 45 formed substantially vertically downwardly through flanges 46 formed longitudinally along the edges of bearing assembly l9. When the springs 21 have their hooked ends 43 thus inserted in apertures 45 and their circular hooked ends 42 assembled with the arms 39. The springs are under sufficient tension to hold the rollers 25 firmly against the bottom portion of journal [4 to allow the rollers 25 to rotate in conjunction with the journal i ias the axle i3 is rotated.

The lubricating device 24 is of such a size that when disengaged from the bearing assembly I?) it can be readily passed between the lower inner surface of journal box l0 and the flanged end 18 of journal M to allow removal of the lubricating device through the access opening 2! or assembly through the opening in the same manner.

It is readily apparent that when the axle i3 is rotated, the lubricating rollers 25 will be forced to rotate about axes substantially parallel to the axis of axle l3. Hence, droplets of the lubricating fluid 28 clinging to the lower portions of the rollers 25 will be impinged against the journal M as the rollers rotate either by directtransfer from the rollers 25 or by splashing therefrom. It has been found from experience that although the lubricating rollers 25 are short axially relative to the journal I4, complete oiling of the journal 14 will be accomplished due to the fact that the lubricating fluid applied to the journal in the path of the rollers 25 is spread over the entire journal portion due to the wiping action of the leading edge of bearing insert 25. Therefore, means for applying oil directly to substantially the entire length of the journal i i are unnecessary in a journal and lubricating roller combination of the proportion substantially as shown. It is obvious, however, that where journals of extreme length are used, two or more lubricating devices could be provided axially along the journal to provide sufficient oiling capacity.

It should be noted that a certain amount of axial'travel of the rollers 25 will be accomplished due to the resilient suspending means used when the axle tends to sway. Hence, the rollers 25 will directly contact a somewhat greater axial portion of the journal l4 than the obvious portion swept by the axial length of said rollers.

The grooves 35 in the rollers 25 serve to augment the oiling capacity of the rollers by entrapping an additional amount of the lubricating fluid 28 therein.

The desirable cantilever suspension of the rollers 25 is accomplished through the simple and novel expedient of the axially extending overhanging arms 39 which serve to keep the center of pressure of the rollers 25 against the j ournal l4 between the ends of the rollers. Therefore, a stable and fairly constant contact is insured between the rollers and the journal because of the force exerted by the springs 21 being applied on a lever arm at a point axially between the ends of the rollers.

It Will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a journal box assembly including a box having a journal therein with an outer flanged end spaced inwardly from the lower edge of an outer opening in the box and a bearing element on the top of the journal, a detachable lubricating device at the bottom of the journal comprising a lubricating roll which is short axially relative to said journal, a carriage rctatably attached at one end only of said roll, said carriage having arms extending radially outwardly and axially inwardly from the attached end of said roll, and detachable connecting means attached to said arms at corresponding position located axially between the ends of said roller for floatingly suspending said device from said bearing element, said carriage when in attached position being spaced from the bottom of the box So that upon disengagement of said connecting means said device can fall to the bottom of the box, said roll and carriage being of a thickness less than the distance between said journal flanged end and the edge of said outer opening whereby the roller can clear the journal end flange for relative endwise movement with respect to said journal and for removal through said opening.

2. In a journal box assembly including a box having a journal therein with a bearing element on the top of the journal, a detachable lubricating device at the bottom of the journal comprising a hanger member having a central portion with substantially parallel arms at the respective ends thereof, said arms being generally perpendicular to said central portion, a pair of lubricating rollers rotatably attached in substantially parallel relationship by cantilever means to the central portion of said hanger member, the axes of said rollers being substantially parallel to the arms of said hanger member, and detachable connecting means attached to said arms at corresponding positions located axially between the ends of said rollers for floatingly suspending said device from said bearing element.

3. In a journal box assembly including a box having a journal therein with an outer flanged end spaced inwardly from the lower edge of an outer opening in the box and a bearing element on the top of the journal, a detachablelubricating device at the bottom of the journal comprising a lubricating roll which is short axially relative to the journal, a hanger rotatably attached at one end only of said roll and detachable spring means attached to said hanger for floatingly suspending said device from said bearing element, said carriage when in attached position being spaced from the bottom of the box so that upon disengagement of said connecting means, said device can fall to the bottom of the box, said roll and said carriage being of a thickness less than the distance between said journal flanged end and the edge of said outer opening whereby the roller can clear the journal end flange for relative end- Wise movement with respect to said journal end for removal through said opening.

4. In a journal box assembly including a box having a journal therein with a bearing element on the top of the journal. a detachable lubricating device at the bottom of the journal comprising a generally U-shaped carriage having a flat central portion with substantially parallel arms formed at the ends thereof, said arms being generally perpendicular to said flat central portion, a pair of lubricating rollers rotatably attached by cantilever means to the central portion of said carriage, the axes of said rollers being substantially perpendicular to said flat central portion, said rollers being short axially relative to said journal, and detachable spring connecting means attached to said arms at corresponding positions located axially between the ends of said rollers for floatingly suspending said device from said bearing.

5. In a journal box assembly including a box having a journal therein with an outer flanged end spaced inwardly from the lower edge of an outer opening in the box and a bearing element on the top of the journal, a detachable lubricating device at the bottom of the journal comprising a generally U-shaped carriage having a flat central portion with substantially parallel arms formed at the ends thereof, said arms being generally perpendicular to said flat central portion, a pair of lubricating rollers rotatably attached by cantilever means to the central portion of said carriage, the axes of said rollers being substantially perpendicular to said flat central portion, and detachable connecting means attached to said arms at corresponding positions located axially between the ends of said rollers for floatingly suspending said device from said bearing element, said carriage when in attached position being spaced from the bottom of the box so that upon disengagement of said connecting means said device can fall to the bottom of the box, said roll and carriage being of a thickness less than the distance between said journal flanged end and the edge of said outer opening whereby the roller can clear the journal end flange for relative endwise movement with respect to said journal and for removal through said opening.

6. A journal lubricator comprising a carriage including a transverse end support, parallel axles carried by and projecting laterally in cantilever relation from the same side of said end support, a lubricator roll rotatably carried by each of said axles, and suspension means extending laterally from each end of the end support in the same direction as the rolls and outside the plane of rotation thereof.

7. A journal lubricator comprising a generally U-shaped carriage having an elongated flat central portion with relatively short parallel arms formed at the ends thereof, said arms being generally perpendicular to said flat central portion, axles carried by and projecting laterally from the same side of said central portion as said arms, said axles being substantially parallel to said arms, a lubricator roll rotatably carried by each of said axles, and suspension means attached to each of said arms at corresponding positions located axially between the ends of said rolls.

WILLIAM J. FITZSIMMONS.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Martin Mar. 13, 1877 Number 

